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Author Topic: 357 vs 44 Mag  (Read 1102 times)

Offline Kcboats

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357 vs 44 Mag
« on: December 30, 2008, 08:29:15 PM »
Not really a vs question, but more of a which and why question.  Looking at going in with a buddy on a deal set (a 44mag in 4 inch and a 357mag in 4 inch package set)...but he is not sure which one he wants so giving me first shot.  We are paying about 300 per gun (Tauras Tracker models) and just curious what you would go with and why.  Big guy, so both are fairly comfortable to shoot for me and my main gun is the Sig 226 in 9mm so this will probably be my backpack/bed side gun. 
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Offline e11charlie

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Re: 357 vs 44 Mag
« Reply #1 on: December 30, 2008, 08:50:19 PM »
I would go with the 357.  For a bed side gun, I have kids so I would be worried about going through the perp and the wall and the child on the other side.  I shot a vest once with hollow point 44s it almost went through.  For back packing I would go with the 44, because while in Alaska had to use one while camping (bear).  Didnt kill but I felt much safer just having the power against Kodiaks.  and thats my .01988 cents.
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Offline High Wall

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Re: 357 vs 44 Mag
« Reply #2 on: December 30, 2008, 11:53:10 PM »
If I could only have one, I'd go with the .44.  The .44 will do everything the .357 will do and more.  The reverse is not true. 

But there are other considerations in favor of the .357.  Recoil is one.  Cost of ammo is another.  Neither is as much of a problem with the .44 if you handload.  I couldn't afford to shoot either one very much if I didn't handload.

The real answer is to have both. ;)
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Offline NGO

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Re: 357 vs 44 Mag
« Reply #3 on: December 31, 2008, 10:42:19 AM »
44 mag!

You can down load a 44 special for pratice rounds.

The .357 isn't enough for bears ( at least one shot isn't) and if you are worried about penetration for home defense, the .357 is going thru the perp also. Look for some fragging bullets OR load shot or smashed 9mm lead rounds into a plastic hull. I think you can fit 3 smashed 9mm 's into one 44 hull.
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Offline Kcboats

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Re: 357 vs 44 Mag
« Reply #4 on: December 31, 2008, 06:06:32 PM »
Choice made, influenced by Zona, nuff said.   ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Going with the 44.
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"-I mean I'll kill a man in a fair fight...or if I think he's gonna start a fair fight, or if he bother's me, or if there's a woman, or I'm gettin paid - mostly when I'm getting paid...but eating people alive?!  Where does that get fun?"

Offline Kcboats

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Re: 357 vs 44 Mag
« Reply #5 on: December 31, 2008, 07:37:40 PM »
Besides the 44 is a zombie killing machine!! :evilgrin: :evilgrin: :stick: :stick: Go for the head!!
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"-I mean I'll kill a man in a fair fight...or if I think he's gonna start a fair fight, or if he bother's me, or if there's a woman, or I'm gettin paid - mostly when I'm getting paid...but eating people alive?!  Where does that get fun?"

Offline e11charlie

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Re: 357 vs 44 Mag
« Reply #6 on: December 31, 2008, 07:50:43 PM »
Quote from: zona5101 on December 31, 2008, 08:11:09 AM
"I know what you're thinking. Did I fire 6 shots or only 5. To tell you the truth, in all this confusion I've kinda lost track myself but seeing how this is a .44 magnum, the world's most powerful handgun, and will blow your head clean off, you have to ask yourself one question. 'Do I feel lucky...'"  8)

'nuff said.

All Hail Dirty Harry.   :hail: :hail: :hail:
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"The people should not be afraid of their government.  The government should be afraid of the people.  Is it not time?"   I am not a pessimist I am a realist, sooner or later the world shits on everyone, pretending it isnt shit makes you an idiot not a pessimist.

Offline Precise

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Re: 357 vs 44 Mag
« Reply #7 on: December 31, 2008, 08:38:56 PM »
Shot gun for bear.... ;D
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Offline Nomad

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Re: 357 vs 44 Mag
« Reply #8 on: January 01, 2009, 04:11:30 AM »
 Both are good choices glad that you got
what you  wanted....
 A "Glazier" 44 special round is hard to beat means serious business...at home
 Full house 44 hard to hold 270gr golddot a great hunting round to hunt with
easy to reload.........
 
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Offline BarryD

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Re: 357 vs 44 Mag
« Reply #9 on: January 02, 2009, 02:55:45 PM »
.357 will go right through a wall. So will a lot of things, like .22LR.

I'd get the .44 with an eye to outdoor use, and use light loads for home defense.

If you ever do have to defend yourself against critters, nothing is too much.
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Offline xmasboy

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Re: 357 vs 44 Mag
« Reply #10 on: March 10, 2009, 08:06:49 PM »
From the bear tracks I saw while fishing in Alaska I think the 44 I was carrying was
so I wasn't eaten alive.
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Offline ballardw

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Re: 357 vs 44 Mag
« Reply #11 on: March 11, 2009, 12:33:00 AM »
And I started with .41 Magnum.
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Offline pv74

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Re: 357 vs 44 Mag
« Reply #12 on: March 18, 2009, 11:48:55 PM »
Quote from: NGO on December 31, 2008, 10:42:19 AM
44 mag!

You can down load a 44 special for pratice rounds.

The .357 isn't enough for bears ( at least one shot isn't) and if you are worried about penetration for home defense, the .357 is going thru the perp also. Look for some fragging bullets OR load shot or smashed 9mm lead rounds into a plastic hull. I think you can fit 3 smashed 9mm 's into one 44 hull.

The .357 is one of the greatest handgun cartridges of all time..it's cheap to shoot (if you reload) and potent.

It has killed all North American game....S&W's Major Douglas B. Wesson did this with an 8" N frame on a well publicized hunting trip. It has even killed polar bears.

That said...a S&W 629 5" .44 magnum rides on my hip when I go hiking....but I wouldn't feel naked with a .357 (hell, the 30-40 Krag was considered an Elk gun at one time).


The .44 Magnum is also an awesome cartridge...and for me, it's my limit...it' not uncomfortable to shoot and it's controllable with hot loads.

Yes, you can shoot .44 specials in it or make lighter loads with .44 magnum brass if you handload....the same can be done with the .357 (shoot.38's..but I just dowload using .357 brass).

I have several examples of both...as .357 and .44 are two of my favorite handgun cartridges.
I also like the .38...it's a great target cartridge.

I am partial to S&W as I think they make some of the finest examples of a modern revolver.

Other manufacturers may be good...but to me, they are just not quite like a nice S&W....it's like a nice cigar and a good bottle of bourbon ;D


I would just get both to solve this dilema...that's the easy answer ;D



ETA 2400 is an awesome powder for both of these rounds ;)

« Last Edit: March 18, 2009, 11:53:57 PM by pv74 »
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Offline Nealio

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Re: 357 vs 44 Mag
« Reply #13 on: March 26, 2009, 10:53:06 AM »
You can't go wrong with either!

But, I'd probably go .44 Mag since (as others stated) you can download it to 44 Special for less energy.  However you still are shooting a heavy bullet compared to a .357 Mag, so over penetration in a self defense situation could be an issue.  That's why the .357 Mag is such a good self defense round, a 110gr JHP goin 1500+ fps will deliver a lot of energy and not over penetrate.
But you can always underload, but you can't overload (safely).. :)

My $.02

 - Nealio
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